Smart Social Podcast: Keeping students safe so they can Shine Online

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**Smart Social Podcast: Keeping students safe so they can Shine Online**

The Smart Social Team teaches parents, educators, and students how to stay safe on social media so they can Shine Online. We show you how to audit your Google results and use your social media accounts as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. We keep it tactical and practical with tips you can use to better understand how to navigate the digital world as a parent, student, and educator. Learn more at SmartSocial.com

Latest Episodes:

Why Teens Are Leaving TikTok For The Byte App Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

Read SmartSocial.com's Byte App Guide: https://smartsocial.com/byte-app/

Where is the Byte app available?

Apple App Store: 17+
Google Play: T (Teen)
Developer’s Website: Byte.co (Based in USA, Owned by Byte, Inc)
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Yubo App in Orlando Sentinel — **Yubo App is Not Safe for Students** Jul 24, 2020
Show notes

What is the Yubo app?
Yubo markets itself as a way to chat and livestream with new friends
It was formerly called Yellow
Yubo’s website says users must be ages 13+ with parental permission
Users ages 13 – 17 have their own Yubo community that is separate from adults, however there is no age verification to enter the adult chat area
New users provide their name, birthday, gender, photo, and phone number. They can opt to have their ID verified through a website called Yoti. Verified users have a yellow check displayed on their profiles
Why students like Yubo
Yubo app users can join group livestreams
Students can have fun swiping through profiles
If two users swipe right on each other’s photos, they become a match. They can then chat or share Instagram and Snapchat usernames
The app offers a Q & A game called “To Be Honest” where users ask other users questions about themselves
Users can earn rewards for recruiting other people to use Yubo
The Yubo app is free. Users can pay for a premium subscription to up their visibility and get rid of ads
Read SmartSocial.com's Yubo App Guide: https://smartsocial.com/yubo-app/
**Where is the Yubo available?**
**Apple App Store Rating:** 17+
**Google Play Rating:** T (Teen)
**Developer’s Website:** Yubo (Based in France, Owned by TWELVE APP SAS)
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
The Yubo app in the news
A man drove roughly 90 miles… where he sexually abused a girl younger than 16… **The girl told detectives she had met [the 28 year-old suspect] through Yubo**, an app and social media network designed for members of Generation Z. According to an arrest affidavit, the girl said she thought [the man] was 16 years old.
Orlando Sentinel
One of the criticisms that Yubo has faced is that its socialization element is **a veil for dating, and the platform is, in a way, a Tinder for teens**. [But the company’s CEO says] Yubo’s core use are group chats and the intention is for users to socialize in a group setting. He says that these rooms offer various activities, like cooking, singing battles, playing games — activities that these teenagers would have been doing outside anyway, except Yubo offers it online.
Forbes
**Learn from Smart Social's resources:**
Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Subscribe to our podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Yubo App Popularity Skyrockets in 2020 — **Yubo App is Not Safe for Students** Jul 24, 2020
Show notes

What is the Yubo app?
Yubo markets itself as a way to chat and livestream with new friends
It was formerly called Yellow
Yubo’s website says users must be ages 13+ with parental permission
Users ages 13 – 17 have their own Yubo community that is separate from adults, however there is no age verification to enter the adult chat area
New users provide their name, birthday, gender, photo, and phone number. They can opt to have their ID verified through a website called Yoti. Verified users have a yellow check displayed on their profiles
Why students like Yubo
Yubo app users can join group livestreams
Students can have fun swiping through profiles
If two users swipe right on each other’s photos, they become a match. They can then chat or share Instagram and Snapchat usernames
The app offers a Q & A game called “To Be Honest” where users ask other users questions about themselves
Users can earn rewards for recruiting other people to use Yubo
The Yubo app is free. Users can pay for a premium subscription to up their visibility and get rid of ads
Read SmartSocial.com's Yubo App Guide: https://smartsocial.com/yubo-app/
**Where is the Yubo available?**
**Apple App Store Rating:** 17+
**Google Play Rating:** T (Teen)
**Developer’s Website:** Yubo (Based in France, Owned by TWELVE APP SAS)
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
The Yubo app in the news
A man drove roughly 90 miles… where he sexually abused a girl younger than 16… **The girl told detectives she had met [the 28 year-old suspect] through Yubo**, an app and social media network designed for members of Generation Z. According to an arrest affidavit, the girl said she thought [the man] was 16 years old.
Orlando Sentinel
One of the criticisms that Yubo has faced is that its socialization element is **a veil for dating, and the platform is, in a way, a Tinder for teens**. [But the company’s CEO says] Yubo’s core use are group chats and the intention is for users to socialize in a group setting. He says that these rooms offer various activities, like cooking, singing battles, playing games — activities that these teenagers would have been doing outside anyway, except Yubo offers it online.
Forbes
**Learn from Smart Social's resources:**
Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Subscribe to our podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Randonautica App can Lead Students on Dangerous “Adventures” Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

The Randonautica app markets itself as “the world’s first quantumly generated Choose Your Own Adventure reality game.” It might sound enticing to students, but safety is a major concern with this app. The app prompts adventurers to set out with a goal in mind. Then it sends them to a randomly generated set of nearby coordinates. These random locations often include private property. Some teenage “Randonauts” were recently led to a beach, where they discovered a crime scene.

Read our app guide: https://smartsocial.com/randonautica-app/

What is the Randonautica app?

The app uses a phone’s location and quantum random number generators to take users on “adventures”
It’s free to download and there are no age requirements
Users can “manifest” the type of experience they want to encounter by typing in an intention or what they hope to find
The app then generates a set of random GPS coordinates for the user to travel to
“Randonauts” then post their discoveries to TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and other social media networks

How does it work?

Users get 10 free locations, then must pay for “points” to continue
Other in-app purchases are available, including an upgrade that removes water locations like lakes and rivers

Where is the Randonautica app available?

Google Play: E (everyone)
Apple’s App Store: 4+
Developer’s Website: Randonautica (Based in USA, owned by Randonauts, LLC)
Safety Guidelines

Why should parents care?

Since the Randonautica app encourages users to go to random locations, there is no way to know if those locations are safe
The perimeter can be changed in Settings to allow the app to generate locations that are several miles away from a user
Although the Randonautica app regularly directs users to private property, the company recommends no trespassing
- This can be confusing to tweens and teens
- It might entice students to break the rules if it seems like they’re being dared to go on an adventure
The company behind the app is also making a YouTube reality show where Randonauts are portrayed as brave and daring

What can parents do?

Urge students not to use this app
Teach your student it is illegal to go onto private property
Discuss the other dangers of traveling to random locations
If your student really wants to go on a “make your own” adventure with friends – suggest some safe games or books
If older teens insist on using the app, make sure they read the Randonautica’s 10 safety tips, which include avoiding dangerous areas and never “Randonauting” alone

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Returning to School with Principal Donald Clayton Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

Donald's goal is to be the most welcoming school in America. If kids know they are wanted and welcome, they will be socially and mentally better and happier.

Teachers, by nature, are planners, but with the times right now, the country is early in the virus and late to be planning the fall schedule of virtual and in-person classes.

How do we allow visitors to our school, keep kids protected and safe, and still be welcoming?

Donald walks through the "how" we do things may change, but the "why" we do them is what matters.

The amount of use of screen time by students could have some long term effects of having it readily available without a purpose of using it. How often are we intentional with our time when we are using screens?

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Mom Talk: How Keeping Margin in Our Day is Our Secret Weapon Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

The key to creating margins is being intentional and saying no to things that may interfere with creating margins. The last people we want to be short with is our family, friends, and those closest to us, but oftentimes, this is who gets the brunt of our lack of time and energy.

Parents sign kids up for so many activities, but do these match the goals that the kids have? Ask children what their end goal is and if what they are doing is what they want for their future. If not, move on, and add more margin to focus on what they want to do.

Where do we want to be a year from now with our family's time and with our level of patience and stress? What can we change and talk about in our family today that just feels doable to get more time back to spend time together?

April Whiting is a mother of 4, a TedX speaker, author, and founder of www.thescreensafeproject.com

Jennifer Zumbiel is also a mother of 4, author, and founder of www.togathermoments.com

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Discord Chat App: Safety Guide for Parents, Students, and Educators Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

If your student is a gamer, there’s a good chance they’re on the Discord chat app. Discord is a free voice, video, and text chat app that boasts more than 250 million users. Like many chat apps, Discord doesn’t put out dangerous content, but some people who use it might. If your student is connecting with random people on Discord, they’re putting themselves at risk of coming across inappropriate content and conversations.

What is the Discord chat app?

Discord is a free voice, video, and text chat app
Users can livestream games and internet videos
Discord started as an app for gamers, but it has branched out to become a general use platform where users chat about various topics
Users can access the app via their internet browser, PC, or mobile device

Why students like Discord

Users playing the same game can set up Discord groups to communicate during live gameplay (they can continue to communicate, even when they aren’t playing)
Users can send videos, photos, GIFs, text, and music through the app
Discord users can connect with others by:
1. Joining a public group, called a server (there are 100,000+ public servers with topics ranging from games to studying to sexuality)
2. Joining a private server someone invited them to
3. Creating their own private server and inviting friends
4. Sending and receiving one-on-one private messages

Where is the Discord chat app available?

Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Internet Browser, PC
Developer’s Website: Discord (Based in USA, Owned by Discord Inc.)
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy

Why should parents care?

Some servers on the app that host 100,000+ members, although most are limited to 10 users
Cyberbully can be an issue when players belittle other players or exclude friends from group chats
Students can easily come across abusive language in chats
Users must confirm that they are 18+ to view content tagged NSFW (not safe for work). However, there is no age verification process
Anyone can create a group chat server and some parents report that it can be easy for strangers to message students through the app
It can also be easy for students to hide private messages
The app is free, but in-app upgrades are available

Read SmartSocial.com's updated Discord chat app guide: https://smartsocial.com/discord-app/

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Mom Talk: April Shares How Her Family Detoxed From Screens Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

Without a plan in place, you can't just rip screens cold turkey from you and your kid's hands. It took a slow process to gradually take away screens from April's four children until they went screen-free for 6 months.

It's all about being intentional about the process - from auditing how much time each person spends on screens now to figuring out how to dwindle down the usage each day.

Once April's family was screen-free, it was easy! Kids want more of their parent's time, but really more of their undivided attention. Once screens are gone, kids go back to reading, playing board games, building legos, and spending time with Mom and Dad.

Getting others on board is a huge deal. Everyone from kid's aunts to grandparents should help with this process so there are not deviations from the plan.

Listen to April's TedX talk titled, "Abducted by Technology: Raising the Smartphone Generation."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFeOPv0fujo&feature=emb_title

April Whiting is a mother of 4, a TedX speaker, author, and founder of www.thescreensafeproject.com

Jennifer Zumbiel is also a mother of 4, author, and founder of www.togathermoments.com

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Identifying Warning Signs of a Gaming Disorder (w/ Guest Morgan Seymour of Open Sky) Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Read The Negative Effects of Video Games (Parent Guide) on the SmartSocial.com Blog: https://smartsocial.com/negative-effects-video-games/

Learn more about Open Sky Wilderness Therapy: https://www.openskywilderness.com/utilizing-wilderness-therapy-to-treat-gaming-disorder/

Gaming disorder is considered a mental health condition

In 2018, the World Health Organization officially began recognizing gaming disorder as a mental health condition

What are gaming disorder warning signs?

According to World Health Organization, there are 3 signs that someone might be struggling with gaming disorder:

Impaired control over gaming (e.g. onset, frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context)
Increasing priority given to gaming to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities
Continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences

What are some red flags parents need to look out for?

According to Dr. Mike Bishop, tech addiction expert, these red flags indicate that your child is struggling with screen time and gaming:

Short tempers that are aggravated by screen time. If your kids are playing video games, you can sometimes see them getting frustrated at the game. Watch out for a quick temper and see if the game has got control over their mood
Kids are not able to self-soothe when they’re playing video games. This translates into the next point, which is having problems going to sleep or waking up in the morning
Having access to a device every night. If we let our kids use devices without limits set, without some rules and structure, they’re going to take their devices to bed with them and they’re going to be up at night browsing social media or playing games. Research says, allowing your child to have a TV or device in their room unchecked at night results in less sleep and having a harder time waking up in the morning
Passing up face-to-face activities for screen time activities. Another major red flag is when you see your child passing up normal opportunities for socialization or outside play

What can parents do?

Before giving your student access to a new game, ask them to explain why they want to play it. Then, spend some time playing the game on your own and decide if it is safe for your family to play. Know that your child has perhaps already played it at their friend’s house
Schedule game time and set time limits beforehand
Teach your children that video games are only to be played in moderation (or, best of all, as a family)
Challenge your student to find offline activities they enjoy and can add to their resume
Have an open dialog about video games with your children. Consider talking about the dangers of playing with strangers, sharing personal information in chats, graphic video game content, and bullying behavior
Model positive screen time behaviors around your children
Always supervise game time (and play with them, if possible)

Learn from SmartSocial.com's resources:

Read the 2020 Ultimate Guide to Child Sex Trafficking: https://smartsocial.com/sex-trafficking/
Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software for 2020: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/